STOCKHOLM — American rapper A$AP Rocky is set to testify on the second day of a trial in Sweden, where he is accused of assault in an alleged street fight.
The rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, has been in custody since July 3. He arrived at the Stockholm District Court Thursday wearing an all-green inmate’s outfit. Mayers is accused along with two others of beating a 19-year-old man in Stockholm on June 30. He pleaded not guilty Tuesday.
The rapper’s defense lawyer, Slobodan Jovicic, has spent the morning trying to portray plaintiff Mustafa Jafari’s actions in the lead up the fight as “threatening” and “provoking.” The alleged victim is also set to testify.
The trial is scheduled to conclude Friday, though a verdict may not be delivered then.
President Trump blasts Sweden after rapper A$AP Rocky is charged with assault over fight
The trial has created a stir in U.S.-Swedish diplomatic relations after President Donald Trump weighed in on the case in support of the Grammy-nominated recording artist.
Trump has sent Robert O’Brien, the U.S. special presidential envoy for hostage affairs to Sweden to monitor the court proceedings. O’Brien told USA TODAY on Thursday it is “entirely appropriate” for him to be at the Stockholm trial even though it’s purely a criminal case.
“When foreign governments hold American citizens, it’s always appropriate,” he added.
Contributing: The Associated Press and Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY
